Willard Herbert Johnson Jr.

• Willard Hubert Johnson Jr.

• He died at 89 years old.

• He lived in Bradenton, FL.

• He died on the 25th of February 2023

• He died in Manatee Springs ALF in Bradenton, FL.

• He died peacefully in his sleep. Cause of death pending coroner’s report.

Life:

• He was born in Grand Rapids, MI

• His parents were Carolyn Smith-Johnson & Willard Johnson Sr.

• In his childhood, he was adopted early and came from a family with several brothers and a sister to my knowledge. His adopted sister, Patricia Johnson, passed a couple years ago during the Covid pandemic, she was 90 years old.

• Willard was married on July 27, 1957, to his wife Mary Johnson. They were married for 65 years.

• He graduated from St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy in Delafield, WI. He attended a local community college and earned an Associate in Arts degree.

• He is a former Sunday School Superintendent at Sara Bay Baptist church and Fellowship Baptist church. He also, was a bus attendant at Sara Bay Baptist Church in the bus ministry.

• He worked various odd jobs in his life, but he loved cabinetry.

• He served in the end part of the Korean war and part of the Cold War. He was stationed in Germany. His service dates were from August 19, 1953 – August 18, 1956, and he was honorably discharge as a Private First class.

• He lived various places in Michigan and in Florida throughout his life.

• He loved going to church, the outdoors, fishing, hunting, hanging out with friends and family, and he loved country music.

• He was a kind and devout Christian family man.

• In his older years, he was a kind man who loved sitting on the porch waving to anyone who went by, that’s how many in the neighborhood described him.

Family:

• He is survived by his spouse Mary, his son and daughter-in-law: William & Roxanne, His Daughter and son-in-law: Susan & Mark, His Daughter: Kimberly, His Grandchildren, and their spouses: Mark & Christina, Michelle & Erik, Stephen & Fatima, Kyle, and Michael, His Great-Grandchildren: Dominick, Emily, Sean.

Service:

• His viewing and service will be held on March 8th, 2023, at Community Baptist Church located at 5500 18th St. E., Bradenton, Fl. 34203. The public viewing is from 10-11a.m., The service is from 11 a.m.-12p.m. His entombment/placement will be held at Mansion Memorial Park, 1400 36th Ave. E., Ellenton, Fl. 34222, after the body has left the church around noonish. There will be staff on site to direct the mourners.

Conclusion:

• Thank you to everyone who helped with the funeral: Grover Funeral Home, Pastor Jess Nicholson, friends, family, and Community Baptist Church. And thank you to all his acquaintances, friends, and family who could and could not attend his funeral. The family appreciates all your condolences in this difficult time.